Breaking the silence

Mental health and the internet, a report from The Mind Sanctuary

SINCE I started blogging about stuff to do with mental illness, the connection between the internet and our state of mind has remained of interest.

This is not least because on the one hand, the web can be a place to find understanding and support, while on the other a cloak of anonymity makes it easier to say hurtful things, which can cause a lot of emotional pain at a time when you are feeling low.

Sometimes the people behind those cruel words may be ill themselves.

Thank you, we won a Brilliance in Blogging award: 'Most Inspirational blog'

THANK you to everyone who voted for Speaking up, breaking the silence, in the Brilliance in Blogging awards.

This week there was a tweet-up to announce the winners and there we were. This post from the British Mummy Bloggers network listed all those who emerged victorious.

We shared top spot in the inspirational category with the wonderful Josie from Sleep is for the Weak and Maja from Pinchy Pants. Both of these bloggers write so beautifully and movingly so it was lovely to be in such auspicious company.

One in Four web exclusive: So you want to be a blogger?

ONE in Four editor Mark Brown presents a simple guide to setting up and keeping a blog in a web exclusive to accompany the autumn 2010 edition.

Here's a snippet:

So, what do bloggers write about?

Bloggers write about anything and everything. If you can think of a topic, you can guarantee that there are people out there blogging about it. Generally, the format of blogging has changed very little. Most successful blogs still involve sharing links to other pages, sites or events on the internet and most involve comment. If you need to get the idea of what a blog is fixed in your mind, you could do worse than thinking of it as 'a place where I can share what I've been thinking, doing, reading or watching'.

Five safety tips for seeking mental health support online

IN a feature in the current One in Four magazine, people share their stories of how they may have sought support from fellow mental illness sufferers online.

If you're looking for a helpful community online, remember online forums and blogs aren't a quick fix. Don’t expect to post once and benefit greatly. Here are some straightforward tips to help:

• Do not reveal personal information about yourself with anyone you don’t know. Never give out your real address, or any personal details. Everything you say in some online environments can be open to the world, while others will share your contributions with members
  

Where do you go for support? To friends or strangers?

HOW confident are you about speaking up about mental health?
 
Chances are you’re clued up about stigma-busting campaigns, where to find helpful resources and may encourage others to share their experiences.
 
But what about you?
 
If you’re anything like me, that’s a whole different kettle of fish.
 
Sometimes I find it easier to seek the kindness of strangers than address the difficulties I find myself in with those closest to me.

Like many other people, I turn to blogs, forums or online support groups.

Breaking the silence carnival of blog posts about mental illness

WHY a carnival about mental health?

I feel very strongly about mental health issues. I have suffered from what everyone always just called "black moods" now and again all my adult life. I didn't know what this meant and would just go to bed to let these fleeting feelings pass. But you can't do that when you are a mum or well, busy at work can you?

And then I got worse. I contemplated throwing myself out of the window, of deliberately crashing my car, telling myself I wasn't worthy of my family's love and that they would be better off without me. I was terrified of how my children would be affected by my mental illness.

My upbringing was to ignore, shun, dismiss or ridicule people who are mentally ill. I was told by family, friends and the media through news reporting and entertainment that those who "succumbed" to a mental illness were either weak, dangerous or just a bit odd. These people either deserved our pity or we should be scared of them. They didn't amount to much and if they were people in positions of trust, authority or power, then well they couldn't have been very good in their job, if they ended up cracking up.

Breaking the Silence carnival of mental illness blog posts, August 19

HELLO and thank you so much for reading our blog. Thank you for all the messages you have sent in the last few days saying how much you appreciate the chance to speak up about mental illness and thank you for sharing links to your posts 'behind the scenes.'

We thought it would be a good idea to have a monthly carnival of blog posts about mental illness and now seemed as good a time as any to start.

So, this is how it will work.

1. If you would like to enter a post you have already written into the carnival, please leave a comment here on this post before Tuesday, August 17 which includes a link to your post and a reason why you would like to flag it up.

'Talking really does help' by Suzi Shaw from Dealing with Depression

A COUPLE of years ago when I first started to try and make sense of having depression and also felt bewildered and scared by facing up to others' mental illness, I discovered the forum Dealing with Depression. I will be eternally grateful for the help and support it gave me.

So how wonderful it is to welcome founding member (and now owner) Suzi Shaw as a guest blogger on Breaking the Silence.

She writes:

My name is Suzi from Dealing with Depression, known as DWD, a forum for people with mental health illness, specifically depression, their friends and family. Although none of us are professionals, we all have experience of depression.

Is mental illness funny?

A THOUGHT-provoking video - do you think it makes a valid point?

Someone once told me: 'You'll be on these indefinitely'

I SPOKE up about depression for the Someone Once Told Me website around two years ago now.

My audio interview can be found in an earlier post.

Now I've found this video from a young woman who's talking frankly about accepting she has clinical depression and that this is a major illness needing treatment.

Thanks to her for sharing her story and thanks to Mario for helping tell it.